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ALL CROWN UP

THE SINGER-SONGWRITER OPENS UP TO ROXY BOURDILLON ABOUT BABIES, TRUMP, AND WHY SHE ALMOST QUIT MUSIC FOR GOOD

COVER STORY

LUCY SPRAGGAN

When the first issue of DIVA hit the shelves in April 1994, Lucy Spraggan was barely a toddler, but her “super liberal” mum was already taking her to Pride parades. As a teenager she snuck into WH Smiths to buy a copy on the down-low, “red in the face, trying to hide it under an arm like a dodgy mag”. She could never have predicted that in her 25th year, and the magazine’s 23rd, she would be on the cover of our landmark 250th issue.

When we meet at an east London studio for our photoshoot, Lucy is brimming with excitement, wearing her jacket like a cape to protect her hair from the drizzling rain, making her look like a gay superhero. Her new album, I Hope You Don’t Mind Me Writing, has just dropped, she’s fresh from an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine, and she’s eagerly checking her phone for updates on how the record’s selling. Despite all the distractions, Lucy is cheerful and chatty; all cheeky grins, hearty laughs and twinkly eyes.

A lot has changed since she was a blushing adolescent skulking around the local newsagent searching for something gay to read. But even then, she was performing whenever she got the chance. At a tender 12 years old, she played her first gig at Crich Tramway Festival. Then, after paying her dues and honing her craft, it was her unforgettable self-penned X Factor audition song, Last Night (Beer Fear), that catapulted Lucy into the public eye in 2012. That now legendary performance has racked up over 40 million views on YouTube and counting. After making it down to the final nine, she left the show abruptly when she was taken ill following the death of her grandma.

About DIVA Magazine

We are delighted to have singer songwriter Lucy Spraggan on the cover of our 250th issue, talking to Roxy Bourdillon about music, marriage and adulting like a boss. Read our interview, and don’t forget to check out our exclusive behind the scenes video and some extra shots from our shoot in east London.
Also in this special anniversary issue…
DIVA Awards: The winners!
Looking back at 23 years of lez/bi life
DIVA columnists Heather Peace and Jane Hill reflect on the how their lives have changed since coming out
Beyond the trans tipping point: Cerian Jenkins on non-binary inclusivity
Alynda Lee Segarra: “It took me a while to get down with Beyoncé”
Interviews with Stella Duffy, Lisa Gornick and Ruth Hunt
Get into gear: Top 10 rides 2017
Lets get quizzical: We test your brainpower with our LGBTeasers
PLUS: Family, career and much, much more!